Decriminalizing People Smuggling

Gerver, Mollie

doi:10.1515/mopp-2018-0054

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The policy response is to focus on the flow of information to potential migrants and their families. Instead of recognising the cultural embeddedness of migration and alternative local conceptualisations of risk, they categorise those who embark on irregular journeys as reckless or irresponsible-a position vested with moral overtones that has been used to justify repressive measures to stop their journey and criminalise those who help them (Gerver, 2019).…”

Section: Risk In Migration Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Not all smugglers are equal. They may all be breaking the law but in spaces of irregularity, where it is almost impossible to move within the law, this does not mean that they are necessarily a primary source of harm to migrants (Gerver, 2019). At times, being under the control of a smuggler may provide a form of protection.…”

Section: Incorporating Risk Into Migration Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Extreme Risk Makes the Journey Feasible: Decision-Making amongst Migrants in the Horn of Africa

Bakewell

Sturridge

2021

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This article explores how some potential migrants in the Horn of Africa incorporate the prospects of extreme danger into their journeys. It draws on evidence from qualitative interviews and focus group discussions with over 400 respondents, mainly from Ethiopian and Somali communities. It shows that the risks of migration within the Horn of Africa are often well known, thanks to strong migrant networks and improved mobile communications. Indeed, migrants may be better informed of the risks of the journey than they are about their prospects of securing a good living upon arrival. However, rather than discouraging people’s migration, high risk may open up new possibilities. This article supports this argument with two examples. First, as Yemen descended into civil war, the breakdown of state control created new opportunities to move undetected, notwithstanding the threat of injury and death. This helps explain why the number of Ethiopians passing through Yemen increased with the conflict, contrary to expectations. Second, some young Somalis are soliciting the services of smugglers to help them move towards Europe, knowing that they are likely to be abused and held for ransom en route. They gamble on their captors’ demands being met by family members, who would not otherwise have endorsed or paid for their journey. These findings challenge common assumptions about risk and decision-making, and suggests that some migrants may move because of, rather than in spite of, the risks involved. It also calls into question initiatives that seek to deter migration by raising awareness about the risks of the journey.

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Section: Risk In Migration Studiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Incorporating Risk Into Migration Policymentioning

confidence: 99%